My View: Rockford ripe for reformation

I have been told that in the mid-’70s a professional polling service came to town to determine the institutions that have the greatest sway in our community. The Downtown Rotary topped the list and the Rockford Park District, not surprisingly, held a prominent place.

What did surprise me was that “the Lutheran church” was runner up in this beauty pageant of sorts. Upon reflection, there is some foundation for such an outcome. Publishers have always had an admiration for the grumpy old monk who gave his name to this denomination. In 1967 he graced the cover of Time Magazine. Life Magazine tabbed him No. 3 in the list of top people of the past millennium.

This is not the forum to talk of Luther’s theology, but it is most fitting to talk of his vision. Martin Luther speaks to the people of the greater Rockford Area today. Luther was a passionate man. I am sure he would have been a regular on WNTA call-in shows and an author of letters to the editor. Luther was a champion of education and recognized the responsibility of parents to influence the lives of the next generation.

The challenge issued by Luther to the leaders of his day was allow “every man” into the conversations that shaped the future of the world that we have been given. Luther and his contemporary, Johannes Gutenburg, who developed moveable type, reshaped the world making it possible for the common person to read, to learn, to engage in the great discussions of the day.

There is much discussion about the future of Rockford. This city, which was once so strong, has lost its way. We are tempted to be disillusioned; we can’t see the wonders of the community which we have been given.

Too many people have thrown up their hands and given in to a sense of hopelessness. Our institutions have too often retreated into isolation and determined that they can only make a difference in their corner of the community.

I am bold to suggest that Rockford is ripe for a reformation. A key to our success in reshaping our future will be a fervent belief that contributions to our rebirth must come from every corner of this community. We must examine every seed of an idea and nurture those that present the potential for us to reclaim a sense of value and worth that we have lost.

There is a popular phrase in sport: “I would rather be lucky than good.” As stewards of this community, we have been lucky enough to be blessed with an excellent location. In the real estate world we hear that location, location and location are the three keys to the creation of value. Let’s build on the strengths of our location.

Page 2 of 2 - And let’s go one step further. Let’s make our own luck. Let’s define luck as that moment when preparation meets opportunity.

Let’s be true to spirit that Luther brought to the public square. First, I shake the whole apple tree, that the ripest might fall. Then I climb the tree and shake each limb, and then each branch and then each twig, and then I look under each leaf.

Let’s prepare to see answers springing up all around us. Let’s apply our creativity and our experience to the challenges we face. Let’s read, study and inwardly digest those answers and work on those that hold the most promise.

The opportunity for growth is coming to us. Let’s seize it and let’s reform this community that has so much to offer.